Third title for D-Mac

Donald McIntosh of Dawsonville, Ga., has run the Schaeffer's Southern Nationals several seasons, but he wasn’t planning on running it in 2026. That is until team owner Billy Hicks called.

The pairing that split after capturing 2025’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Years honors reunited for a successful run on Ray Cook’s two-week summer circuit as McIntosh grabbed his third tour championship.

"It feels pretty awesome, to be honest with you. I hadn't raced, but about three times before we started this deal,” McIntosh said after wrapping up the title with Saturday’s runner-up finish to Garrett Smith in the points-paying finale at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway. “Billy called me and I was like, 'Yeah man, that sounds like fun.’ ”

Despite just a few 2026 starts, McIntosh quickly got up to speed and posted seven top-five finishes in eight starts including three runner-up finishes. He’d previously won the title in 2001 driving for Blount Motorsports and in ’24 for Hicks.

"This car's just been a pleasure to drive. Man, it's rewarded me everything that I've done,” said McIntosh who pressured Smith late in the finale but fell shy just before a second rainstorm ended the night’s racing. “I thought them last few laps I was gonna give her the beans all I could to try to get Garrett, but he did a really good job. So congrats to him.

“What an incredible two weeks, man. It's a lot of work to go up and down the road and to come back racing and get these points deals. It's been a lot of fun and just blessed for the opportunity.” — Series and staff reports

Special victory

Ever since Jason Hahne began racing Late Models in 2021, his father Richard Hahne has been at the racetrack supporting him. But when the elder Hahne, now 87, suffered serious injuries in a fall late last season, he hadn’t been able to join his son at the racetrack. That is until Thursday at Hahne’s hometown Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa.

Richard Hahne picked a great night to return.

After setting fast time during the Malvern Bank West Series event, Jason Hahne chased race-long leader Corey Zeitner into the race’s closing stages, making the winning pass on the 22nd of 30 laps for a $3,000 payday. Hahne won his first on the circuit and fifth overall in Malvern Bank tour competition (he’s got four East Series victories).

“It means a lot,” Hahne said.  “This is the first time my dad's come to the races since last year before Knoxville. He fell and broke his hip. It's been kind of a long deal for him, and it's the first time he's been to the races since that's happened.

"It's the first time in 26 years he hasn't come with me every race. It's been hard.”

The 41-year-old Hahne, who for many seasons raced weekly at his hometown track, doesn’t get to compete there often in recent seasons because the half-mile layout doesn’t host many Late Model events. It’s unfortunate, because Hahne has 32 career Late Model victories at the track, but before Thursday none since 2021.

“This racetrack means a lot to me," the hometown winner said. "I mean, I live five blocks away, you know? We try and come here any time we're not running the Late Model. And I just want it to succeed and I want it to have big races like this because it means a lot to me and everybody in this town.” — Mike Ruefer and staff reports